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Ester-C 500 mg With Citrus Bioflavoinds

American Health
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(3277 ratings)
Vitamin C 1000 mg
Flavonoid (mixture) 400 mg
Product Image
Score84
A strong buffered vitamin C serving with complementary citrus compounds. The opaque blend presentation and only moderate value for this pack keep it from the top tier.
How scoring works
Quantity:240 Capsule(s) • (120 servings)
Goals:
Immunity
General Health
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Skin Health

Score 84

A strong buffered vitamin C serving with complementary citrus compounds. The opaque blend presentation and only moderate value for this pack keep it from the top tier.
How scoring works
$29.39($0.24 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 32.29
Amazon
$ 29.39
iHerb
$ 29.39
Vitacost
$ 32.29
Daily Vita
$ 29.39
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Analysis

A 1000 mg serving of vitamin C in calcium ascorbate form offers substantial antioxidant and immune support. The buffered form may suit people who experience irritation from ordinary ascorbic acid.

The 400 mg citrus bioflavonoid complex broadens the antioxidant profile, but its source ingredients are presented as repeated entries rather than individually quantified actives. Readers cannot determine the true amount of hesperidin, rutin, or each fruit component.

The large capsule count suits consistent long-term use, though two capsules are required for each listed serving. Value is acceptable but does not stand out against matching formulas with clearer economics.

Who is it for
  • Adults wanting high-dose buffered vitamin C
  • People sensitive to acidic vitamin C
  • Users who prefer buying a large capsule supply
Best for
  • Immune support
  • Collagen and skin support
  • Routine antioxidant supplementation

Pros

  • Substantial 1000 mg vitamin C serving
  • Buffered calcium ascorbate form
  • Includes 400 mg of citrus bioflavonoids
  • Large capsule count

Cons

  • Bioflavonoid constituents lack separate quantities
  • Two capsules are needed per serving
  • Pack value trails some equivalent listings

Warnings

  • The full-gram vitamin C serving may cause cramping or loose stools
  • Regular high-dose vitamin C warrants caution for people prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones
  • The serving adds 110 mg of calcium and may not fit a medically restricted calcium intake

Nutrient quality

92 Highest impact

Buffered calcium ascorbate provides a well-regarded form at a meaningful amount. Compatible citrus bioflavonoids add support without making the formula filler-heavy.

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Ingredient transparency

76 High impact

Active names and amounts are clearly stated, with no hidden proprietary dose. Complete intake directions and a full inactive-ingredient list are not included in the supplied data.

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Customer satisfaction

73 High impact

Supplied satisfaction metrics indicate a strong result with a meaningful response pool. Detailed experience themes are absent, so recurring complaints and real-world purpose fit remain uncertain.

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Value for money

97 Highest impact

Serving value appears favorable relative to the disclosed form and amount. The focused formula avoids low-value extras.

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Goals

Immunity
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 1000 mg

Buffered vitamin C provides direct immune and antioxidant support at a substantial amount. Calcium ascorbate may be gentler for people who find ordinary ascorbic acid irritating.

Citrus bioflavonoids add complementary antioxidant compounds, although their individual active yields are not separated. The focused formula has strong depth but does not cover vitamin D or zinc pathways.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
General Health
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA Strength of SupportB CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 1000 mg

Buffered vitamin C provides strong antioxidant, immune, and collagen-related support for general health. Citrus bioflavonoids complement the main active without displacing its substantial dose.

The mineral ascorbate form is well suited to users who find regular ascorbic acid hard on the stomach. The broad bioflavonoid labeling is less precise than the clear vitamin C disclosure, but it does not undermine the core formula.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 56 studies
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
Highest effect
B+ Goal FitA+ Strength of SupportB CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 1000 mg

Buffered vitamin C supports antioxidant defense and helps regenerate other antioxidants used during inflammatory stress. Citrus bioflavonoids add a complementary plant-antioxidant pathway, although they are not direct substitutes for curcumin, fish oil, or boswellia.

The vitamin C amount reaches the preferred range, and calcium ascorbate offers a well-tolerated buffered form. The bioflavonoid complex is substantial but does not disclose individual constituent amounts, leaving the formula strong for antioxidant support rather than broad inflammation control.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 50 studies
Skin Health
Impact
Highest effect
B- Goal FitA- Strength of SupportB- CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 1000 mg

Vitamin C directly supports collagen synthesis, while citrus bioflavonoids add antioxidant support. Vitamin C has established mechanistic relevance to skin structure, although oral bioflavonoid evidence for visible skin outcomes is less direct.

The vitamin C amount is substantial and the bioflavonoid blend is also present at a meaningful level. Buffered calcium ascorbate is clearly identified, but the individual compounds within the bioflavonoid blend are not separately quantified.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
Vision Support
Impact
Moderate effect
D Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD- CoverageC- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 1000 mg

One gram of Ester-C provides antioxidant support, and citrus bioflavonoids may add complementary activity. The formula lacks lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, or omega-3s central to more established vision combinations.

Vitamin C is clearly substantial, but the many bioflavonoid source entries appear to share one complex rather than separate full amounts. Vision support remains limited to general antioxidant defense.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Disputed 24 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ester-C Calcium Ascorbate)
1000 mg
Calcium (Ester-C Calcium Ascorbate)
110 mg
Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex (Acerola, Hesperidin Complex, Lemon, Lime, Naturally Occuring Vitamin C Metabolites, Rutin, sweet Orange, Tangerine)
400 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Vegan Dairy Free Sugar Free Vegetarian
Report overview
A- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

Ester-C supplies a buffered, pH-neutral form designed for digestive comfort. The 1000 mg serving sits within the optimal range, and the listed formula avoids sugar-based fillers and artificial colors. Cost per effective amount is exceptionally economical for the form.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Relation between plasma ascorbic acid and mortality in men and women in EPIC-Norfolk prospective study: a prospective population study. European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.
    Khaw KT; Bingham S; Welch A; Luben R; Wareham N; Oakes S; Day N · Lancet (London, England) · 2001
    Cohort study19,496 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  2. Vitamin C intake and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
    Xu K; Peng R; Zou Y; Jiang X; Sun Q; Song C · International journal of food sciences and nutrition · 2022
    Meta-analysis76 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  3. Serum vitamin C and spinal pain: a nationwide study.
    Dionne CE; Laurin D; Desrosiers T; Abdous B; Le Sage N; Frenette J; Mondor M; Pelletier S · Pain · 2017
    Cross-sectional study4,742 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  4. Vitamin C and contribution to the normal function of the immune system: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusImmunity forVitamin C
  5. Effect of Vitamin C Supplements on Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Keya TA; Leela A; Fernandez K; Habib N; Rashid M · Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology · 2022
    Meta-analysis10 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  6. Vitamin C for the management of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Abid H; Mushtaq I; Munir ABI; Shakil J; Vinjamuri S; Tadasare N; Kiran F; Muhammad Wali Mirza A; Fatima Khidri F; Shahid A; Ayyan M; Ehsan M; Cheema HA; Alsubari AMA; Sahra S; Siddiqi NI · Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2026
    Meta-analysis9 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  7. Efficacy of Vitamin C as Glucocorticoid Substitute for Reducing Pain and Inflammation After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Jiang W; Xu H; Jiang X; Zhan Y; Ju Y; Xie J; Huang Z; Huang Q; Pei F · The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume · 2025
    Randomized trial107 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  8. The Impact of Vitamin C on Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Hemostatic Outcomes After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Moftakhari Hajimirzaei S; Bagherzadeh Cham M; Dolikhani M; Tabatabaee SM; Ebrahimpour A · The archives of bone and joint surgery · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,162 participants10 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  9. The impact of vitamin C supplementation on the perioperative outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Liu X; Guo J; Li Y; Yang Y; Liu M; Gao Q; Yang Y; Wu X; Yue C · BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026
    Meta-analysis852 participants8 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  10. Therapeutic Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Oral and Periodontal Tissues: A Systematic Literature Review.
    Ruzijevaite G; Acaite E; Jagelaviciene E · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025
    Systematic review811 participants17 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  11. Oral vitamin C administration reduces early recurrence rates after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation and attenuates associated inflammation.
    Korantzopoulos P; Kolettis TM; Kountouris E; Dimitroula V; Karanikis P; Pappa E; Siogas K; Goudevenos JA · International journal of cardiology · 2005
    Randomized trial44 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  12. Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.
    Aune D; Keum N; Giovannucci E; Fadnes LT; Boffetta P; Greenwood DC; Tonstad S; Vatten LJ; Riboli E; Norat T · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2019
    Meta-analysis69 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  13. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to vitamin C and increasing non haem iron absorption pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusGeneral Health forVitamin C
  14. Vitamin C Depletion and All-Cause Mortality in Renal Transplant Recipients.
    Sotomayor CG; Eisenga MF; Gomes Neto AW; Ozyilmaz A; Gans ROB; Jong WHA; Zelle DM; Berger SP; Gaillard CAJM; Navis GJ; Bakker SJ · Nutrients · 2018
    Cohort study598 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  15. Associations of Serum Biomarkers of Fruit and Vegetable Intake With the Risk of Cause-Specific Mortality and All-Cause Mortality: A National Prospective Cohort Study.
    Pu L; Zhang R; Wang X; Zhao T; Sun H; Han L · Frontiers in nutrition · 2022
    Cohort study12,530 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  16. Therapeutic effects of high-dose vitamin C supplementation in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
    Sun L; Zhao JH; Fan WY; Feng B; Liu WW; Chen RQ; Ban C; Dang AG; Wang M; Luo KT; Zhou GY; Yu FF; Ba Y · Nutrition reviews · 2024
    Meta-analysis2,334 participants14 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  17. Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Abioye AI; Bromage S; Fawzi W · BMJ global health · 2021
    Meta-analysisImmunity forVitamin C
  18. New evidence for antioxidant properties of vitamin C.
    Vojdani A; Bazargan M; Vojdani E; Wright J · Cancer detection and prevention · 2001
    Randomized trial20 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  19. Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults.
    Calder PC; Kreider RB; McKay DL · Nutrients · 2025
    Systematic review13 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  20. Evaluation of the anti-wrinkle effect of an ascorbic acid-loaded dissolving microneedle patch via a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.
    Lee C; Yang H; Kim S; Kim M; Kang H; Kim N; An S; Koh J; Jung H · International journal of cosmetic science · 2017
    Randomized trial23 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  21. Comparative Study on the Outcome of Periorbital Wrinkles Treated with Laser-Assisted Delivery of Vitamin C or Vitamin C Plus Growth Factors: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial.
    Machado BHB; Frame J; Zhang J; Najlah M · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2021
    Randomized trial149 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  22. Randomized trial of topical ascorbic acid in DMSO versus imiquimod for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
    Burke B; Bailie JE · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 2022
    Randomized trial25 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  23. Vitamin C improves healing of foot ulcers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Gunton JE; Girgis CM; Lau T; Vicaretti M; Begg L; Flood V · The British journal of nutrition · 2022
    Randomized trial16 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  24. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women.
    Cosgrove MC; Franco OH; Granger SP; Murray PG; Mayes AE · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2007
    Cross-sectional study4,025 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  25. Role of Oral Vitamin 'C' on Astigmatic Errors in Phacoemulsification.
    Mohan S; Sah K; Khattri M; Ahmad L; Sachan SK · Current eye research · 2021
    Randomized trial400 participantsVision Support forVitamin C
  26. Ascorbic acid metabolites are involved in intraocular pressure control in the general population.
    Hysi PG; Khawaja AP; Menni C; Tamraz B; Wareham N; Khaw KT; Foster PJ; Benet LZ; Spector TD; Hammond CJ · Redox biology · 2019
    Observational studyVision Support forVitamin C
  27. Nutritional modulation of cataract.
    Weikel KA; Garber C; Baburins A; Taylor A · Nutrition reviews · 2014
    Narrative reviewVision Support forVitamin C
  28. Dietary n-3 Fatty Acid, α-Tocopherol, Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, and β-carotene are Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Japan.
    Aoki A; Inoue M; Nguyen E; Obata R; Kadonosono K; Shinkai S; Hashimoto H; Sasaki S; Yanagi Y · Scientific reports · 2017
    Case-control study530 participantsVision Support forVitamin C
  29. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, lifestyle and age-related macular degeneration: the Coimbra Eye Study - report 3.
    Raimundo M; Mira F; Cachulo MDL; Barreto P; Ribeiro L; Farinha C; Laíns I; Nunes S; Alves D; Figueira J; Merle BM; Delcourt C; Santos L; Silva R · Acta ophthalmologica · 2019
    Case-control study883 participantsVision Support forVitamin C